I've got a pretty fun problem that I could use some help with: how to display swords! About a dozen or so. A little more. Okay, twenty-two of them.

I had intended to put them in my "library". The trouble is, that room is more or less bookshelves from floor to peaked ceiling. The ceiling is still open. Hang them up there? I'd be worried about the occasional earthquake followed by some Damoclean beheadings. But still, the ceiling is open.

Anybody got good ideas for making a rack that goes on a wall? I don't have much wall space but I've got some in there. Or maybe a funky rack that fits on fireplace mantels? Maybe a giant coffee table with a glass top and the swords displayed beneath (ohh, a good one there).

I'm open to all suggestions, silly and serious. Have at it, lads. i need the help.

Also, do a search on the site as I remember there being a Topic a while back showing what a lot of people do from nice displays to stacked in a corner.

I haven't taken the trouble to buy or make anything myself but I could see a large square or rectangular wooden box divided into rectangular section in a grid-like fashion to keep naked blades from touching each other if not in scabbards.

The box with a wide base and weighted so that it won't tip over easily, even in an earthquake.
Now this can be crude planks, nicely painted / stained or made from some nice expensive wood.

For the lazy: A big and tall wicker basket with weighted base or an umbrella stand used for " umbrellas " and/or walking sticks.

How about bamboo tubes with the sections cut out to form an unobstructed tube, and attached together ? More swords !? Get more bamboo tubes. Or large PVC tubes ? ( Less aesthetically pleasing maybe ). Clear plastic tubes to be able to see the blades ???You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!

Every time this topic comes up I am the one who has to post the cautionary comment. I am solidly in the camp of "tuck 'em away". There is nothing worse than building up a nice collection of weapons only to have them lifted from your house or apartment one night when you are out at the baseball game. Unfortunately it happens and has happened to me in the past and I just want to point out that [a] collecting insurance on these things is a immense pain in the rear and [b] the amount of time it takes to rebuild a collection is huge. So..... although a wall full of swords looks awfully cool.......... and makes for a mouth watering photo for the rest of us.......... I recommend you don't display all of your guns/swords/coins/stamps/ in the open in one spot in your house. I guarantee that if a burglar gets in your castle they will be taking the swords off the wall long before they even look at any other artwork

There are also safety reasons to be careful with these sharps especailly if you have kids like I do.

Therefore my strategy has evolved to the point where I lock up my weapons in a safe while having a spot or two to display just a few at a time. Then I rotate the ones on display now and then.

Interestingly, this actually forces me to attend to my swords more often than if I just hung them all up. as each time I get one out for display I attend to its needs in terms of oiling etc.

Usually, I say "nice rack" and get a good slap in the face from a buxom lass. But still, NICE RACK!

Those are drawer pulls, aren't they? Sheer genius! I'm using that idea no matter what happens ultimately.

Wow, cool pictures. This is GREAT.

And I do appreciate the "tuck 'em away" point of view. I think that's sensible. In fact, just this morning I was opining to She Who Must Be Obeyed that perhaps I would put just one sword on the mantle in a rotating display every two weeks. That would be about a year of swords (but I'll have to add a few to hit twenty-SIX swords.... aww, shucks).

The basic idea of what I did:
I've already stated this in about four similar threads, but if I could do it again, i would rip grooves on the inside of the framework and inset some safety glass to protect the blades and wandering fingers.The pen is mightier than the sword, especially since it can get past security and be stabbed it into a jugular.
This site would be better if everytime I clicked submit... I got to hear a whip crack!
My collection: Various Blades & Conan related

Usually, I say "nice rack" and get a good slap in the face from a buxom lass. But still, NICE RACK!

Those are drawer pulls, aren't they? Sheer genius! I'm using that idea no matter what happens ultimately.

Wow, cool pictures. This is GREAT.

Yep, drawer pulls. They make good hangers and look nice also. I use oak boards and router them to my taste and put several coats of paint for that shiney look.Are you scared, Connor?
No, Cousin Dugal. I'm not!
Don't talk nonsense, man. I peed my kilt the first time I went into battle.
Oh, aye. Angus pees his kilt all the time!

Here is a rack that I made many moons ago. Easily built from two pieces of 6"x1" pine, dont forget to line the cut outs with felt or leather to protect the scabbards etc. I should point out that I was about 18 when this display hung above my bed, and I am now nearly 50, so my decorative ideas have changed somewhat , but the rack works well.

This is sort of correct. Hank Reinhardt originally found the design in India at the Windlass Steelcrafts plant. Though they regarded it as "highly expermental" Hank decided to "seize on the opportunity presented by this blade" (I'm quoting from an early catalog) and had them do this one up, with the brass fittings. Later, Del Tin seems to have taken over and produced a version with steel fittings and a "bottle" style grip and more of a scent stopper style pommel (unlike the steel disc in the attached picture url).

I actually have that later del tin model on a rack now, as can be seen in the bottom of the rack in this photo:
Thinking of selling it, but haven't really gotten that desperate yet. it was re hilted by Albion at some point.The pen is mightier than the sword, especially since it can get past security and be stabbed it into a jugular.
This site would be better if everytime I clicked submit... I got to hear a whip crack!
My collection: Various Blades & Conan related

Here is my esoteric sword display/meditation area. I have some swords mounted in other areas of the living room as well. And I of course switch out swords in the rack whenever I have a mind to.Attachment: 44.4 KB, Viewed: 2435 timesinkothemgard!

This is sort of correct. Hank Reinhardt originally found the design in India at the Windlass Steelcrafts plant. Though they regarded it as "highly expermental" Hank decided to "seize on the opportunity presented by this blade" (I'm quoting from an early catalog) and had them do this one up, with the brass fittings. Later, Del Tin seems to have taken over and produced a version with steel fittings and a "bottle" style grip and more of a scent stopper style pommel (unlike the steel disc in the attached picture url).

Then do you think this maybe one of Hank's early pieces? Got any idea's on how many were made?Are you scared, Connor?
No, Cousin Dugal. I'm not!
Don't talk nonsense, man. I peed my kilt the first time I went into battle.
Oh, aye. Angus pees his kilt all the time!

Here is my esoteric sword display/meditation area. I have some swords mounted in other areas of the living room as well. And I of course switch out swords in the rack whenever I have a mind to.

I believe I've seen that shield on the battlefield before. What Kingdom are you from? Ever been to Gulf Wars?Are you scared, Connor?
No, Cousin Dugal. I'm not!
Don't talk nonsense, man. I peed my kilt the first time I went into battle.
Oh, aye. Angus pees his kilt all the time!

This is sort of correct. Hank Reinhardt originally found the design in India at the Windlass Steelcrafts plant. Though they regarded it as "highly expermental" Hank decided to "seize on the opportunity presented by this blade" (I'm quoting from an early catalog) and had them do this one up, with the brass fittings. Later, Del Tin seems to have taken over and produced a version with steel fittings and a "bottle" style grip and more of a scent stopper style pommel (unlike the steel disc in the attached picture url).

Then do you think this maybe one of Hank's early pieces? Got any idea's on how many were made?

It's from an early catalogue (say, No. 3 -5 or so). I'm guessing the number is fairly low, given that Del Tin took over fairly quickly (at a guess perhaps due to quality issues with the early Windlass stuff, but that may be wrong). I'll have to look more closely at my old catalogues and figure out when the change over took place. I'll try to get to that tonight.

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forumYou cannot attach files in this forumYou can download files in this forum